(a) The following exemptions apply to exports of technical data for which approval is not needed from the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. The exemptions, except for paragraph (b)(13) of this section, do not apply to exports to proscribed destinations under § 126.1 of this subchapter or for persons considered generally ineligible under § 120.1(c) of this subchapter. The exemptions are also not applicable for purposes of establishing offshore procurement arrangements or producing defense articles offshore (see§ 124.13), except as authorized under § 125.4(c). Transmission of classified information must comply with the requirements of the Department of Defense National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (unless such requirements are in direct conflict with guidance provided by the Directorate of Defense Trade controls, in which case the latter guidance must be followed) and the exporter must certify to the transmittal authority that the technical data does not exceed the technical limitation of the authorized export.

(b) The following exports are exempt from the licensing requirements of this subchapter.

(1) Technical data, including classified information, to be disclosed pursuant to an official written request or directive from the U.S. Department of Defense;

(2) Technical data, including classified information, in furtherance of a manufacturing license or technical assistance agreement approved by the Department of State under part 124 of this subchapter and which meet the requirements of § 124.3 of this subchapter;

(3) Technical data, including classified information, in furtherance of a contract between the exporter and an agency of the U.S. Government, if the contract provides for the export of the data and such data does not disclose the details of design, development, production, or manufacture of any defense article;

(4) Copies of technical data, including classified information, previously authorized for export to the same recipient. Revised copies of such technical data are also exempt if they pertain to the identical defense article, and if the revisions are solely editorial and do not add to the content of technology previously exported or authorized for export to the same recipient;

(5) Technical data, including classified information, in the form of basic operations, maintenance, and training information relating to a defense article lawfully exported or authorized for export to the same recipient. Intermediate or depot-level repair and maintenance information may be exported only under a license or agreement approved specifically for that purpose;

(6) Technical data, including classified information, related to firearms not in excess of caliber .50 and ammunition for such weapons, except detailed design, development, production or manufacturing information;

(7) Technical data, including classified information, being returned to the original source of import;

(8) Technical data directly related to classified information which has been previously exported or authorized for export in accordance with this part to the same recipient, and which does not disclose the details of the design, development, production, or manufacture of any defense article;

(9) Technical data, including classified information, and regardless of media or format, sent or taken by a U.S. person who is an employee of a U.S. corporation or a U.S. Government agency to a U.S. person employed by that U.S. corporation or to a U.S. Government agency outside the United States. This exemption is subject to the limitations of § 125.1(b) of this subchapter and may be used only if:

(i) The technical data is to be used outside the United States solely by a U.S. person;

(ii) The U.S. person outside the United States is an employee of the U.S. Government or is directly employed by the U.S. corporation and not by a foreign subsidiary; and

(iii) The classified information is sent or taken outside the United States in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Defense National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (unless such requirements are in direct conflict with guidance provided by the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, in which case the latter guidance must be followed).

(10) Disclosures of unclassified technical data in the U.S. by U.S. institutions of higher learning to foreign persons who are their bona fide and full time regular employees. This exemption is available only if:

(i) The employee's permanent abode throughout the period of employment is in the United States;

(ii) The employee is not a national of a country to which exports are prohibited pursuant to § 126.1 of this subchapter; and

(iii) The institution informs the individual in writing that the technical data may not be transferred to other foreign persons without the prior written approval of the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls;

(11) Technical data, including classified information, for which the exporter, pursuant to an arrangement with the Department of Defense, Department of Energy or NASA which requires such exports, has been granted an exemption in writing from the licensing provisions of this part by the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. Such an exemption will normally be granted only if the arrangement directly implements an international agreement to which the United States is a party and if multiple exports are contemplated. The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, in consultation with the relevant U.S. Government agencies, will determine whether the interests of the United States Government are best served by expediting exports under an arrangement through an exemption (see also paragraph (b)(3) of this section for a related exemption);

(12) Technical data which is specifically exempt under part 126 of this subchapter; or

(13) Technical data approved for public release (i.e., unlimited distribution) by the cognizant U.S. Government department or agency or Office of Freedom of Information and Security Review. This exemption is applicable to information approved by the cognizant U.S. Government department or agency for public release in any form. It does not require that the information be published in order to qualify for the exemption.

(c) Defense services and related unclassified technical data are exempt from the licensing requirements of this subchapter, to nationals of NATO countries, Australia, Japan, and Sweden, for the purposes of responding to a written request from the Department of Defense for a quote or bid proposal. Such exports must be pursuant to an official written request or directive from an authorized official of the U.S. Department of Defense. The defense services and technical data are limited to paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this section and must not include paragraphs (c)(4), (c)(5), and (c)(6) of this section which follow:

(1)Build-to-Print. “Build-to-Print” means that a foreign consignee can produce a defense article from engineering drawings without any technical assistance from a U.S. exporter. This transaction is based strictly on a “hands-off” approach since the foreign consignee is understood to have the inherent capability to produce the defense article and only lacks the necessary drawings. Supporting documentation such as acceptance criteria, and specifications, may be released on an as-required basis (i.e. “must have”) such that the foreign consignee would not be able to produce an acceptable defense article without this additional supporting documentation. Documentation which is not absolutely necessary to permit manufacture of an acceptable defense article (i.e. “nice to have”) is not considered within the boundaries of a “Build-to-Print” data package;

(2)Build/Design-to-Specification. “Build/Design-to-Specification” means that a foreign consignee can design and produce a defense article from requirement specifications without any technical assistance from the U.S. exporter. This transaction is based strictly on a “hands-off” approach since the foreign consignee is understood to have the inherent capability to both design and produce the defense article and only lacks the necessary requirement information;

(3)Basic Research. “Basic Research” means a systemic study directed toward greater knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and observable facts without specific applications towards processes or products in mind. It does not include “Applied Research” (i.e. a systemic study to gain knowledge or understanding necessary to determine the means by which a recognized and specific need may be met. It is a systematic application of knowledge toward the production of useful materials, devices, and systems or methods, including design, development, and improvement of prototypes and new processes to meet specific requirements.);

(5)Engineering Analysis, such as: Analytical methods and tools used to design or evaluate a defense article's performance against the operational requirements. Analytical methods and tools include the development and/or use of mockups, computer models and simulations, and test facilities. (Final analytical results and the initial conditions and parameters may be provided.)

(6)Manufacturing Know-how, such as: information that provides detailed manufacturing processes and techniques needed to translate a detailed design into a qualified, finished defense article. (Information may be provided in a build-to-print package that is necessary in order to produce an acceptable defense article.)

(d)

(1) Defense services for the items identified in § 123.16(b)(10) of this subchapter exported by accredited U.S. institutions of higher learning are exempt from the licensing requirements of this subchapter when the export is:

(i) To countries identified in § 123.16(b)(10)(i) of this subchapter and exclusively to nationals of such countries when engaged in international fundamental research conducted under the aegis of an accredited U.S. institution of higher learning; and

(ii) In direct support of fundamental research as defined in § 120.11(8) of this subchapter being conducted either at accredited U.S. institutions of higher learning or an accredited institution of higher learning, a governmental research center or an established government funded private research center located within the countries identified in § 123.16(b)(10)(i) of this subchapter; and

(iii) Limited to discussions on assembly of any article described in § 123.16(b)(10) of this subchapter and or integrating any such article into a scientific, research, or experimental satellite.

(2) The exemption in paragraph (d)(1) of this section, while allowing accredited U.S. institutions of higher learning to participate in technical meetings with foreign nationals from countries specified in § 123.16(b)(10)(i) of this subchapter for the purpose of conducting space scientific fundamental research either in the United States or in these countries when working with information that meets the requirements of § 120.11 of this subchapter in activities that would generally be controlled as a defense service in accordance with § 124.1(a) of this subchapter, does not cover:

(i) Any level of defense service or information involving launch activities including the integration of the satellite or spacecraft to the launch vehicle;

(ii) Articles and information listed in the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) Annex or classified as significant military equipment; or

(iii) The transfer of or access to technical data, information, or software that is otherwise controlled by this subchapter.

On May 24, 2013, the Department of State published a rule (78 FR 31444) proposing to amend the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) by revising Category XV of the U.S Munitions List (USML) as part of the President's Export Control Reform (ECR) effort. After review of comments to the proposed rule, on May 13, 2014, the Department published an interim final rule that allowed a final comment period until June 27, 2014. The Department is now making final the interim final rule and correcting the interim final rule that appeared in the Federal Register of May 13, 2014.

This is a list of United States Code sections, Statutes at Large, Public Laws, and Presidential Documents, which provide rulemaking authority for this CFR Part.

The Department of State will accept comments on this proposed rule until August 3, 2015.

22 CFR Parts 120, 123, 125, and 127

Summary

As part of the President's Export Control Reform (ECR) initiative, the Department of State proposes to amend the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to update the definitions of “defense article,” “defense services,” “technical data,” “public domain,” “export,” and “reexport or retransfer” in order to clarify the scope of activities and information that are covered within these definitions and harmonize the definitions with the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), to the extent appropriate. Additionally, the Department proposes to create definitions of “required,” “technical data that arises during, or results from, fundamental research,” “release,” “retransfer,” and “activities that are not exports, reexports, or retransfers” in order to clarify and support the interpretation of the revised definitions that are proposed in this rulemaking. The Department proposes to create new sections detailing the scope of licenses, unauthorized releases of information, and the “release” of secured information, and revises the sections on “exports” of “technical data” to U.S. persons abroad. Finally, the Department proposes to address the electronic transmission and storage of unclassified “technical data” via foreign communications infrastructure. This rulemaking proposes that the electronic transmission of unclassified “technical data” abroad is not an “export,” provided that the data is sufficiently secured to prevent access by foreign persons. Additionally, this proposed rule would allow for the electronic storage of unclassified “technical data” abroad, provided that the data is secured to prevent access by parties unauthorized to access such data. The revisions contained in this proposed rule are part of the Department of State's retrospective plan under Executive Order 13563 first submitted on August 17, 2011.

2015-05-26; vol. 80 # 100 - Tuesday, May 26, 2015

80 FR 30001 - Amendment to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations: Registration and Licensing of U.S. Persons Employed by Foreign Persons, and Other Changes

The Department of State will accept comments on this proposed rule until July 27, 2015.

22 CFR Parts 120, 122, 124, 125, and 126

Summary

The Department of State proposes to amend the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to clarify requirements for the licensing and registration of U.S. persons providing defense services while in the employ of foreign persons. This amendment is pursuant to the President's Export Control Reform effort, as part of the Department of State's retrospective plan under Executive Order 13563 completed on August 17, 2011. The Department of State's full plan can be accessed at http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/181028.pdf .

2015-05-22; vol. 80 # 99 - Friday, May 22, 2015

80 FR 29565 - Amendment to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations: Exports and Temporary Imports Made to or on Behalf of a Department or Agency of the U.S. Government; Procedures for Obtaining State Department Authorization To Export Items Subject to the Export Administration Regulations; Revision to the Destination Control Statement; and Other Changes

The Department of State will accept comments on this proposed rule until July 6, 2015.

22 CFR Parts 120, 123, 124, 125, and 126

Summary

As part of the President's Export Control Reform (ECR) effort, the Department of State is proposing to amend the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to: clarify regulations pertaining to the export of items subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR); revise the licensing exemption for exports made to or on behalf of an agency of the U.S. government; revise the destination control statement in ITAR § 123.9 to harmonize the language with the EAR; and make several minor edits for clarity. The proposed revisions contained in this rule are part of the Department of State's retrospective plan under E.O. 13563.

2014-11-10; vol. 79 # 217 - Monday, November 10, 2014

79 FR 66608 - Amendment to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations: Revision of U.S. Munitions List Category XV; Correction

On May 24, 2013, the Department of State published a rule (78 FR 31444) proposing to amend the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) by revising Category XV of the U.S Munitions List (USML) as part of the President's Export Control Reform (ECR) effort. After review of comments to the proposed rule, on May 13, 2014, the Department published an interim final rule that allowed a final comment period until June 27, 2014. The Department is now making final the interim final rule and correcting the interim final rule that appeared in the Federal Register of May 13, 2014.